The LSC funds legal service programs throughout the country that provide basic legal assistance to our poorest citizens for urgent legal problems such as domestic violence, consumer fraud, loss of housing and disaster relief. Without LSC, most low-income people will have no realistic access to our judicial system.
Congress also proposes cuts in the Social Security and SSI disability programs. On March 24, 1995, the House of Representatives passed the Personal Responsibility Act which effectively eliminates SSI cash benefits for most disabled children and terminates SSI benefits entirely for the chemically dependent and virtually all legal immigrants under age 75. The Senate is currently considering its own version of the bill and is expected to bring it to a vote within the month.
Recognizing the devastating impact these cuts would have on many low-income families and children, county and city governments, non-profit social service agencies, and, most importantly, people directly affected by these cuts are strongly encouraged to contact their Senators and Representative to express their opinions about the questionable wisdom of this proposed legislation.
The House Social Security Subcommittee has also started hearings to assess the status of Social Security's administration of the disability program. Grave concerns were expressed at the hearings about the rising costs of the disability program. One proposed remedy discussed was to place time limits on the receipt of Social Security benefits for some beneficiaries. We fear a next step may be a significant tightening of the disability eligibility criteria for certain types of impairments, particularly mental disabilities, resulting in fewer people qualifying for benefits. The SSA has also proposed eliminating its policy of paying attorney fees directly in disability insurance cases, a move which would result in claimants having difficulty obtaining attorney representation on their disability claims. This in turn would result in fewer claims being granted.
Many other changes in Social Security's disability programs are also
in the works. While all agree that some changes are needed, advocates around
the country are concerned that many of the proposals, both from Congress
and the SSA itself, will make it much more difficulty for people who are
truly disabled to obtain much needed benefits. We have enclosed with this
newsletter a list of Bay Area congressional representative and other legislators
on important committees who have influence over Social Security matters.
I encourage you to contact your representatives about these and future
proposals that may negatively impact your entitlement to disability benefits.